The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has released its Annual State of Safety Report (ASoSR) for the 2023/24 reporting period (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024), fulfilling its legislative mandate under the National Railway Safety Act (Act 16 of 2002, as amended). This report provides a detailed analysis of safety performance across South Africa’s rail sector, evaluating operational occurrences and security-related incidents. It serves not only as a record of past events but as a strategic guide for enhancing safety across the rail network.
The ASoSR 2023/24 underscores the complexity of railway safety, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges. The report calls for enhanced collaboration between stakeholders, robust regulatory enforcement, and targeted investments to mitigate risks and improve safety performance. Notable recommendations include:
- Strengthening operational risk management and investigating underlying causes of occurrences.
- Addressing the multifaceted nature of railway safety, including operational and security-related challenges.
- Advocating for investments in resilient railway infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities to extreme weather and other hazards.
The Railway Safety Regulator’s Annual State of Safety Report is a critical tool for understanding and addressing the safety challenges facing South Africa’s railway sector. By focusing on comprehensive safety strategies and leveraging key insights, the RSR aims to create a safer and more reliable railway network, driving both social and economic development.
Key Highlights of the 2023/24 Reporting Period
Overview of Rail Productivity and Operators
- Safety Permit Holders: A total of 212 rail safety permit holders were recorded during the reporting period, including major operators such as Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and Bombela Operating Company (Gautrain).
- Train Kilometres Operated:
- TFR: Slight decrease from 25.93 million km (2022/23) to 25.91 million km (2023/24).
- PRASA: Significant increase of 116.17%, from 2.35 million km (2022/23) to 5.08 million km (2023/24).
- Gautrain: Increase of 12.04%, from 7.14 million km (2022/23) to 8.00 million km (2023/24).
Operational Occurrences
A total of 2,496 operational occurrences were recorded, marking a 36.17% increase compared to the previous reporting period. New categories (M- Procedural irregularities, N- Pantograph hookups, and O- Onboard passenger related occurrences) contributed 428 occurrences, representing 17% of the total.
- Top Five Categories of Occurrences:
- Fires and explosions (Category L): 697 occurrences.
- Collisions during movement of rolling stock (Category A): 687 occurrences.
- Pantograph hook-ups (Category N): 358 occurrences.
- Derailments during movement of rolling stock (Category B): 278 occurrences.
- People struck by trains (Category E): 126 occurrences.
Key Regional Trends
- KwaZulu-Natal: Accounted for 36% of operational occurrences.
- Mpumalanga: 14%.
- Northern Cape: 10%.
Injuries and Fatalities
- Operational Occurrences:
- 85 fatalities and 181 injuries recorded.
- Fatalities and Weighted Injuries Index (FWI): A 5.8% decrease compared to the previous period, with a total FWI of 103.1.
- Security-Related Incidents:
- 74 fatalities and 98 injuries recorded.
- FWI: Significant increase to 83.8, up from 18.8 in the previous period, largely due to the introduction of Category 10 (Human bodies found within the railway reserve), contributing 60 fatalities.
Security-Related Incidents
A total of 7,420 security-related incidents were recorded.
- Asset Theft: 74% of incidents, with 5,461 cases affecting operational safety.
- Malicious Damage (Vandalism): 21% of incidents, with 1,548 reported cases.
- Electrical Power Outages: A notable increase, with 140 incidents recorded.
Regional and Category-Specific Trends
- Derailments: 278 derailments recorded, accounting for 11% of operational occurrences.
- Key regions: KwaZulu-Natal (24%) and Mpumalanga (25%).
- Resulted in 2 injuries and 1 fatality.
- Platform-Train Interchanges (PTIs): 56 occurrences, a 64.71% increase from the previous period.
- Key regions: KwaZulu-Natal (71%) and Western Cape (25%).
- Resulted in 33 injuries and no fatalities.
- Level Crossings: 63 occurrences, leading to 50 injuries and 6 fatalities.
- Top provinces: Western Cape (24%), Mpumalanga (19%), and North West (17%).
